Roland Park Country School has announced that Dr. Lara Wulff was selected to serve as the next Head of the school, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.
The Board of Trustees and Head of School Search Committee elected Wulff unanimously from a pool of more than 60 highly qualified candidates who had applied. She has been an educator for more than 25 years, including senior-level teaching positions and leadership roles at private schools in Richmond, Va., and Bethesda, Md. She has also held teaching positions at the University of Virginia and Dickinson College, and was an assistant professor at Villanova University.
Wulff will be the school’s 10th Head, taking over for Joan Smith, the current Head of School. The two share a student-centered philosophy and a belief that tradition and innovation go hand-in-hand. They both also believe students can excel academically and experience a community filled with passion and joy while doing so.
“From the beginning of the process, Lara stood out as someone who genuinely enjoys working with children, is present in the community, and has the vision and understanding to advance the mission of RPCS,” said David Clapp, P’26, Chair of the Head of School Search Committee.
Wulff has an expansive background which includes earning a Fulbright Scholarship, being a global education instructor, and competing as a collegiate swimmer. She earned a Ph.D. in history from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in theological studies from Harvard Divinity School.
“The privilege to teach and guide girls as they grow and learn is a sacred trust,” Wulff said. “As the daughter of educators, a classroom teacher and administrator in all girls’ schools for 20 years, and the mother of two daughters who are alumnae of an all-girls’ school, I know how impactful the educational journey is for shaping girls’ confidence, sense of self, and ability to thrive in a complex and changing world.”
Wulff’s new role begins July 1, 2026, but the school is planning events throughout the coming months to introduce her to the RPCS community and facilitate the transition process.
